Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A keyboard comprising: first and second keyboard segments each including on an upper surface thereof respective subsets of keys that together define an alphanumeric keyboard; and a joint coupling the keyboard segments, the joint configured to facilitate relative motion of the keyboard segments; a locking mechanism configured to facilitate tenting and splaying of the keyboards segments relative to one another in response to a first force exerted on one of the first and second keyboard segments above a threshold force, and to resist relative movement of the two keyboard segments in response to a second force exerted on one of the first and second keyboard segments below the threshold force.
This keyboard has two separate sections, each containing a subset of the standard alphanumeric keys. A joint connects these sections, allowing them to move relative to each other so the keyboard can be tented or splayed. The joint includes a locking mechanism that changes its resistance to movement depending on the amount of force applied. Applying a force above a set threshold will allow the user to adjust the keyboard, while applying a force below that threshold will keep it locked in its current position.
2. The keyboard of claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a ball and socket.
This adjustable keyboard uses a ball-and-socket joint to connect the two keyboard sections, allowing for flexible movement and positioning. The keyboard has two separate sections, each containing a subset of the standard alphanumeric keys. A joint connects these sections, allowing them to move relative to each other so the keyboard can be tented or splayed. The joint includes a locking mechanism that changes its resistance to movement depending on the amount of force applied. Applying a force above a set threshold will allow the user to adjust the keyboard, while applying a force below that threshold will keep it locked in its current position.
3. The keyboard of claim 2 , wherein the ball and socket are configured to resist movement of the two keyboard segments in response to the application of a frictional force exerted by the locking mechanism on contacting surfaces of the ball and the socket.
In this adjustable keyboard that uses a ball-and-socket joint to connect the two sections, the locking mechanism relies on friction between the ball and the socket to hold the keyboard sections in place. The joint is designed to resist movement through frictional force exerted by the locking mechanism on the contacting surfaces of the ball and the socket. The keyboard has two separate sections, each containing a subset of the standard alphanumeric keys. A joint connects these sections, allowing them to move relative to each other so the keyboard can be tented or splayed. The joint includes a locking mechanism that changes its resistance to movement depending on the amount of force applied. Applying a force above a set threshold will allow the user to adjust the keyboard, while applying a force below that threshold will keep it locked in its current position.
4. The keyboard of claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism is further configured to create pressure at an interface between the ball and the socket, thereby maintaining the relative position of the keyboard segments.
In this adjustable keyboard that uses a ball-and-socket joint to connect the two sections, the locking mechanism works by applying pressure to the interface between the ball and socket. This pressure creates friction, which holds the sections in their current position. The locking mechanism is further configured to create pressure at an interface between the ball and the socket, thereby maintaining the relative position of the keyboard segments. The keyboard has two separate sections, each containing a subset of the standard alphanumeric keys. A joint connects these sections, allowing them to move relative to each other so the keyboard can be tented or splayed. The joint includes a locking mechanism that changes its resistance to movement depending on the amount of force applied. Applying a force above a set threshold will allow the user to adjust the keyboard, while applying a force below that threshold will keep it locked in its current position.
5. The keyboard of claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism is coupled to one of the ball and the socket, the locking mechanism configured to apply a frictional force that selectively maintains a fixed interface between the ball and the socket, thereby selectively maintaining a spatial relationship between the first and second keyboard segments, and wherein the first force exerted on one of the first and second keyboard segments above the threshold force reduces or eliminates the frictional force acting on the interface between the ball and the socket, thereby facilitating relative movement of the keyboard segments.
This adjustable keyboard uses a ball-and-socket joint and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism applies a frictional force between the ball and the socket, keeping the keyboard sections in a fixed position. If you apply enough force to one of the keyboard sections, you can overcome this friction and move the sections relative to each other. Specifically, the locking mechanism is coupled to one of the ball and the socket, the locking mechanism configured to apply a frictional force that selectively maintains a fixed interface between the ball and the socket, thereby selectively maintaining a spatial relationship between the first and second keyboard segments, and wherein the first force exerted on one of the first and second keyboard segments above the threshold force reduces or eliminates the frictional force acting on the interface between the ball and the socket, thereby facilitating relative movement of the keyboard segments. The keyboard has two separate sections, each containing a subset of the standard alphanumeric keys. A joint connects these sections, allowing them to move relative to each other so the keyboard can be tented or splayed. The joint includes a locking mechanism that changes its resistance to movement depending on the amount of force applied. Applying a force above a set threshold will allow the user to adjust the keyboard, while applying a force below that threshold will keep it locked in its current position.
6. The keyboard of claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism is further configured to permit manipulation of the joint and the keyboard segments in response to the first force that overcomes the pressure created by the locking mechanism on the interface between the ball and the socket.
In this adjustable keyboard that uses a ball-and-socket joint to connect the two sections, the locking mechanism applies pressure to the interface between the ball and socket, fixing the sections in their current position. However, you can still adjust the keyboard by applying enough force to overcome this pressure. Specifically, the locking mechanism is further configured to permit manipulation of the joint and the keyboard segments in response to the first force that overcomes the pressure created by the locking mechanism on the interface between the ball and the socket. The keyboard has two separate sections, each containing a subset of the standard alphanumeric keys. A joint connects these sections, allowing them to move relative to each other so the keyboard can be tented or splayed. The joint includes a locking mechanism that changes its resistance to movement depending on the amount of force applied. Applying a force above a set threshold will allow the user to adjust the keyboard, while applying a force below that threshold will keep it locked in its current position.
7. The keyboard of claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism does not include a lever.
This adjustable keyboard uses a ball-and-socket joint and a locking mechanism to fix keyboard position; this locking mechanism does not use a lever. Specifically, the locking mechanism does not include a lever. The keyboard has two separate sections, each containing a subset of the standard alphanumeric keys. A joint connects these sections, allowing them to move relative to each other so the keyboard can be tented or splayed. The joint includes a locking mechanism that changes its resistance to movement depending on the amount of force applied. Applying a force above a set threshold will allow the user to adjust the keyboard, while applying a force below that threshold will keep it locked in its current position. The locking mechanism is further configured to create pressure at an interface between the ball and the socket, thereby maintaining the relative position of the keyboard segments.
8. A keyboard comprising: first and second keyboard segments, each segment including keys; a ball-and-socket joint pivotably coupling the first and second keyboard segments, a ball of the joint attached to the first keyboard segment and a socket of the joint attached to the second keyboard segment and retaining the ball therein; and a ball surface of the ball and a socket surface of the socket frictionally engageable with one another and configured to restrict pivoting of the first and second keyboard segments relative to one another when frictionally engaged.
This keyboard has two sections connected by a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is attached to one section and sits inside the socket, which is attached to the other section. The surfaces of the ball and socket are designed to create friction when they are pressed together. This friction prevents the keyboard sections from easily pivoting relative to each other, maintaining a set position.
9. The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein the ball-and-socket joint is configured to operate in a locked configuration with the ball frictionally engaged with the socket, and in an adjustment configuration with the ball and the socket at least partially frictionally disengaged.
The ball-and-socket joint on this adjustable keyboard has two states: a locked state where the ball and socket are tightly pressed together, preventing movement, and an adjustment state where the ball and socket are partially separated, allowing the user to change the keyboard's position. The keyboard has two sections connected by a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is attached to one section and sits inside the socket, which is attached to the other section. The surfaces of the ball and socket are designed to create friction when they are pressed together. This friction prevents the keyboard sections from easily pivoting relative to each other, maintaining a set position.
10. The keyboard of claim 8 , further including a locking mechanism configured to apply pressure at an interface between the ball and the socket thereby maintaining frictional engagement of the ball-and-socket joint and a relative spatial positioning of the keyboard segments.
This keyboard features a locking mechanism that applies pressure between the ball and socket of its joint. This pressure increases the friction between the two components, holding the keyboard sections in a fixed position relative to one another. The keyboard has two sections connected by a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is attached to one section and sits inside the socket, which is attached to the other section. The surfaces of the ball and socket are designed to create friction when they are pressed together. This friction prevents the keyboard sections from easily pivoting relative to each other, maintaining a set position.
11. The keyboard of claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism is further configured to permit manipulation of the keyboard segments relative to the ball-and-socket joint in response to a force that overcomes the applied pressure upon the interface between the ball and the socket by the locking mechanism.
The locking mechanism on this adjustable keyboard applies pressure to the ball-and-socket joint, keeping the keyboard sections in place. However, a user can apply enough force to overcome this pressure and adjust the keyboard's position. The keyboard has two sections connected by a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is attached to one section and sits inside the socket, which is attached to the other section. The surfaces of the ball and socket are designed to create friction when they are pressed together. This friction prevents the keyboard sections from easily pivoting relative to each other, maintaining a set position. The keyboard features a locking mechanism that applies pressure between the ball and socket of its joint. This pressure increases the friction between the two components, holding the keyboard sections in a fixed position relative to one another.
12. The keyboard of claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism does not include a lever.
The adjustable keyboard, utilizing a ball-and-socket joint and a locking mechanism for positional stability, does not incorporate a lever in its locking mechanism. The keyboard has two sections connected by a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is attached to one section and sits inside the socket, which is attached to the other section. The surfaces of the ball and socket are designed to create friction when they are pressed together. This friction prevents the keyboard sections from easily pivoting relative to each other, maintaining a set position. The keyboard features a locking mechanism that applies pressure between the ball and socket of its joint. This pressure increases the friction between the two components, holding the keyboard sections in a fixed position relative to one another.
13. A method of adjusting a keyboard having first and second segments pivotably coupled by a ball-and-socket joint, and a locking mechanism that produces an engagement force between a surface of the ball and a surface of the socket to restrict relative movement of the first and second keyboards segments, the method comprising: applying a force to overcome the engagement force between the ball and the socket to free movement of the first and second keyboard segments; positioning the first and second keyboards segments in one of a tented and splayed position, and removing the force to re-engage the socket and ball surfaces, thereby restricting relative movement of the first and second keyboard segments in one of the tented and splayed position during typing.
To adjust this split keyboard, you first apply force to overcome the friction between the ball and socket joint surfaces. This unlocks the two keyboard sections. Next, you move the sections into your desired position, either tented or splayed. Finally, release the applied force, which re-engages the friction between the ball and socket, locking the keyboard into the new position for typing.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein positioning the first and second segments further includes at least partially separating the surfaces of the ball and the socket from one another.
In adjusting the split keyboard, after applying a force to overcome the friction between the ball and socket joint surfaces, positioning the first and second segments further includes at least partially separating the surfaces of the ball and the socket from one another. This unlocks the two keyboard sections. Next, you move the sections into your desired position, either tented or splayed. Finally, release the applied force, which re-engages the friction between the ball and socket, locking the keyboard into the new position for typing. To adjust this split keyboard, you first apply force to overcome the friction between the ball and socket joint surfaces. This unlocks the two keyboard sections. Next, you move the sections into your desired position, either tented or splayed. Finally, release the applied force, which re-engages the friction between the ball and socket, locking the keyboard into the new position for typing.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein applying a force to overcome the engagement force between the ball and the socket further includes overcoming a static friction generated by the contacting surfaces of the ball and the socket.
To adjust this split keyboard, you first apply force to overcome static friction between the contacting ball and socket joint surfaces. This unlocks the two keyboard sections. Next, you move the sections into your desired position, either tented or splayed. Finally, release the applied force, which re-engages the friction between the ball and socket, locking the keyboard into the new position for typing. To adjust this split keyboard, you first apply force to overcome the friction between the ball and socket joint surfaces. This unlocks the two keyboard sections. Next, you move the sections into your desired position, either tented or splayed. Finally, release the applied force, which re-engages the friction between the ball and socket, locking the keyboard into the new position for typing.
Unknown
October 24, 2017
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